Saturday in Edinburgh – what’s on today

Lunchtime concert: Judy Brown (soprano), John Bryden (piano.) 1.10-1.50pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

GENERATION Tours at Modern ONE: free, discussion-led tours of the GENERATION exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am or 1-1.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road.  Free and unticketed.

Lunchtime Concert: The Pilgrim Singers (Liverpool)  12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Here, Right Now: Art Writing Readings. Readings by Edinburgh-based artists and writers presenting new work.  In collaboration with Cooper Gallery, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Dundee. 2-3pm, Edinburgh College of Art, Main Building, Lauriston Place. Free but places are limited and must be booked via eventbrite. Part of ECA Masters Festival.

A Glittering Highland Ball (workshop): make traditional highland costumes for peg dolls, with dresses, kilts and bagpipes, and you’ll be ready to take your partners for a reel or Strathspey. Some basic sewing skills required. A family event suitable for children 6+ years. 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £5 per person – bookings must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, online or by calling 0131 228 1155.

Free Fringe Music at The National Museum of Scotland. Today: Zi Lan Liao, Chinese harp. 2-2.40pm, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street.

Zoo Arts Extra Film Screening: see the results of the Summer Animation Project and animations created at Jupiter Artland in June. Transport to and from The Filmhouse and refreshments provided: meet at North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court at 10am. The screening will be followed by Drawing and Guerilla Art Making with visits to two Edinburgh Art Festival exhibitions, returning to NEA by 4.30pm.  Free – recommended donation £3. Call NEA on 0131 315 2151 or pop into the NEA box office for more information and to book your place. More information also here.

Introduction to Ceramics: two part course. Today: learn techniques then design and create your own piece of ceramic art. On 30th August, come back to glaze your artwork. 10am-12 noon, The Gallery On the Corner, Northumberland Street. £40 per person, includes 1kilo of clay, all glazes & refreshments. To book call the Gallery on 0131 557 8969. Also available on dates in October and December – see the Gallery’s Facebook page for details.

Edinburgh Book Fringe 2014: The Darkest Days: The Truth Behind Britain’s Rush to War, 1914. Historian Douglas Newton presents a new dramatic narrative, interleaving the stories of those pressing for a choice for war with that of those resisting Britain’s descent into calamity. ‘There was no democratic decision for war.’  1pm, Word Power Books, 43-45 West Nicolson Street. All welcome! Admission free – donations also welcome!

Recycled Cities: popular family drop-in workshops, taking inspiration from the Where Do I End and You Begin exhibition.  Suitable for the whole family working together. 1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free and unticketed. Please meet at reception.

And our photo is just a reminder that the Book Festival is sadly almost over for another year…..